After two years in Buffalo, head coach Doug Marrone has opted out of his contract with the Bills:
Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN first reported the news and the financial implications:
Tim Graham of the Buffalo News reported on the circumstances of Marrone's exit, while Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Marrone's future and a potential candidate in Buffalo:
The Bills confirmed Marrone's exit in a statement, via Mike Rodak of ESPN:
Bills player Aaron Williams weighed in on the announcement via his Twitter account:
Marrone had little time to turn things around and was saddled with an apparent misfire at quarterback, as the Bills used their maiden first-round pick of the Marrone era on EJ Manuel.
Even though the Bills managed a non-losing 2014 season with the likes of Manuel and mostly Kyle Orton under center, the need for immediate results seems as prominent as ever in Buffalo. The Bills haven't qualified for the playoffs since 1999.
Prior to Marrone's decision to leave, NFL.com's Chris Trapasso weighed in on the circumstances surrounding the potential of the head coach being fired:
As murky as the offensive side of the ball looks due to the QB depth chart, the defense was among the NFL's best this year, which is some consolation for the turnover this move to let Marrone go will create. But it's important that remains a strength moving forward.
The Bills have brought in some young offensive weapons in receivers Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods. It's key to find someone superior to distribute the ball to them, and to also upgrade the running game and offensive line, notably the guard positions. Holding onto free-agent-to-be C.J. Spiller if possible would be a plus.
Whoever takes Marrone's place walks into a promising situation, though the AFC East isn't easy with the dynastic New England Patriots and improving Miami Dolphins comprising a fourth of Buffalo's schedule.
As for Marrone, he likely did enough with his first stint as an NFL head coach to receive some offers from other teams, if not as a head coach then as an offensive assistant. It's also possible that he decides to return to the college ranks, where he previously helped turn around the Syracuse program.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1y8uByE
via IFTTT December 31, 2014 at 03:16PM
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